Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Dover Corporation (DOV)
A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Dover Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: COST is classified in Consumer Defensive; DOV is classified in Industrials. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$918.91Consumer DefensiveDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
DOV
Dover Corporation
$189.17IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 14, 2026, 3:59 PM EDT
Total return — COST vs DOV
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCOST +546.0% (+20.5%/yr)DOV +278.5% (+14.2%/yr)COST compounded faster over this window
COST DOV
COST vs DOV: by the numbers
- •COST is the larger company ($407.52B vs $25.48B market cap).
- •DOV trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (22.85 vs 46.22 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •DOV converts more revenue to profit (13.48% vs 3.01% net margin).
- •COST grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.48% vs 2.54% CAGR).
- •DOV pays the higher dividend yield (1.10% vs 0.61%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | COST | DOV |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 46.22 | 22.85 |
| Forward P/E | 40.54 | 17.69 |
| P/S ratio | 1.39 | 3.03 |
| P/B ratio | 12.16 | 3.31 |
| EV / EBITDA | 28.77 | 14.89 |
| FCF yield | 2.16% | 4.61% |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | DOV |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 39.58% |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 16.87% |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 13.48% |
| ROE | 26.38% | 14.73% |
| ROIC | 19.01% | 9.56% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | DOV |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.61% | 1.10% |
| Payout ratio | 27.87% | 25.18% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | DOV |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.48% | 2.54% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 15.04% | 10.95% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 4.95% | 2.55% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 14.94% | 2.98% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, COST or DOV?
- DOV has the lower trailing P/E: COST trades at 46.22 and DOV at 22.85. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, COST or DOV?
- Over the past five years, COST grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus DOV at 2.54%.
- Does COST or DOV pay a bigger dividend?
- COST yields 0.61% and DOV yields 1.10% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is COST or DOV more profitable?
- DOV runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus DOV at 13.48%.
- How have COST and DOV total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, COST delivered 20.59% and DOV delivered 14.80% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioDover P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldDover dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROEDover ROECostco Wholesale operating marginDover operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthDover revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowDover free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Dover appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 13, 2026.